Chapter 102
“Something good happened?”
Bai Yu looked up at the newcomer. His golden eyes contained a different meaning in them. She did not understand what it was, but still smiled and replied in a friendly tone that was rarely used between them.
“It’s a good thing that I’m still uncertain.”
Ouyang Feilong nodded, not pursuing it further. “There’s nothing for benwang to worry about now that you can smile.”
“Many thanks for Your Highness’ concern.”
“Bai He’s sister is also benwang’s.”
Her thin lips slightly skewed at his words. What a stubborn person. He had already eaten her tofu but still did not accept it. There’s no way a twentieth-century woman like her would let him off the hook so easily after doing this and that to her. “Wangye kisses every friend’s sister?”
Her question stunned Ouyang Feilong.
.....
“Then should I kiss my brother’s other friends too?”
“No.”
Bai Yu giggled.
Ouyang Feilong sighed. “Shameless woman.”
“Old bull grazing on young grasses.” Bai Yu countered.
His brows furrowed in confusion. Bai Yu knew he would not understand her words. That was a saying in her language that was used to call an old man who preferred women much younger than him. She would never tell him its meaning. If this baby-faced old bull knew, she would have to continue to argue with him for a lot longer than this. “Did Wangye come to visit brother?”
Ouyang Feilong looked at the little fool who changed the topic, deadpan, and suddenly felt resigned. He decided to state his business. “Benwang came to see Bai He and also to talk to you.”
“Then please see brother first, then we can talk outside.”
He said nothing as he walked up to the bed that she was sitting on. Ouyang Feilong silently observed Bai He’s sleeping face. His eyes lit up, then he turned to Bai Yu. “Something changed.”
“Yes.”
“What’s the cause?”
“I don’t know as well. The past week brother looked like he was in a deep sleep, but these past few days when I played guqin around him, brother’s magic surrounds me. It’s as if he’s conscious, but still locked in.”
“Benwang is going to find the best doctor to cure him.”
“Please don’t trouble yourself. Biaoge said everything is decided by fate.”
“Fate, huh?” He murmured. “You believe it?”
“Apart from myself, fate is the only thing that I cannot afford to doubt.”
“Then you probably won’t answer benwang that fate was the reason why you knew about Empress Wang’s armory at Wang’s mansion.” Ouyang Feilong spoke bluntly.
“Wangye has already investigated the matter?”
“That’s right.”
“Then, please, this way.”
Bai Yu did not expect that Ouyang Feilong would come here because of this. She had thought that he would want to talk about her hurting his second consort since he himself was there as well. Because of that, Bai Yu had decided since a few days ago that whatever he asked from her as compensation for his woman, she would unwaveringly tell him the answer in her mind.
The slender figure in a familiar dark blue dress led her esteemed guest to the gazebo next to the training ground, the same place they had discussed about her power of absorbing magic.
Now, Bai Yu had become much more adept at controlling her ability. That was why she could quickly sense the faint current of Bai He’s magic while playing guqin during these several days.
And the fact that Ouyang Feilong could sense Bai He’s magic like her must mean that he was highly skilled, even without a unique ability like hers.
A steaming fragrant tea was poured for the guest. Her hands gracefully handed the cup to him, and Ouyang Feilong took it to drink in a leisurely manner. It had been some time since they knew each other, but this was the first time that she poured him tea while not arguing. Was this considered her tending to him? Bai Yu could not suppress a smile.
“It seems that the information from you is a great help to the Emperor.”
The man in front of her spoke in a serious tone, unlike how he would normally appear indifferent at all times. However, since this involved the Emperor, Bai Yu could vaguely understand why, and who Ouyang Feilong cared the most. “What does Wangye mean?”
His golden eyes cast down, gazing absently at the plum blossom pattern on the cup. “A coup.”
Bai Yu did not bat an eye at his word. She already knew that Taizi Ouyang Yongxian would organize a coup some time after the war with Da Chu. She intended to send Ouyang Feilong to investigate in advance so that he could nip the problem in the bud. If she waited until the war ended, he would have a much more complicated matter in his hands.
“You don’t seem surprised.”
“Yes.” Bai Yu nodded. Her red lips curved in a slight smile.
“How did you know?”
“I knew it from somewhere far, far away.” That was the world in the future where everything right now was only a novel that would eventually be made into a television series for her to star in.
Ouyang Feilong did not comment on her extremely vague answer. Golden eyes moved from the teacup in his hands to her face, unblinking.
Bai Yu never thought that someone other than Bai Hua would know she had transmigrated here. She also did not think that the person in front of her would know. It was too far-fetched, no one would be able to even imagine it. Still, those golden eyes seemed to see through her heart and mind. Bai Yu did not prepare an answer to explain to him why she knew about Empress Wang. She should have been reprimanded, actually, for meddling in politics, but this man did not probe nor chastise her.
Ouyang Feilong was always like this. He was indifferent toward everything. But when he cared about something, he would not let you know about it, not until you were completely in his hands. The plague at the village was evident of this. He never mentioned finding the cause, yet he did so behind the scene without boasting to anyone.
Bai Yu knew that he wanted to know, but when she gave an ambiguous answer, he did not try to question her further. He was the kind of man who would not make women feel uncomfortable. This could be considered a way of cherishing beauty as well. Ouyang Feilong had gained a positive point in her heart.
“About Wangye’s second consort...” She spoke, destroying the silence that was surprisingly relaxed despite the topic being about the nation’s fate. “...I have harassed Wangye’s woman. Bai Yu must ask for Your Highness’s forgiveness.”
Ouyang Feilong arched a brow. “So you know how to apologize?”
“As the saying goes, even when hitting dogs you have to be mindful of the owner. Bai Yu has hurt Wangye’s second consort, and Bai Yu must repent.” Bai Yu was already used to his sarcasm, so she could reply without showing any emotion, not even remorse. She only apologized as a formality.
“Benwang saw everything. Benwang understands the reasoning behind your action.” If it was him in her place that night, he would do the same thing Bai Yu did. Bai He’s time could not be wasted on that woman, not even a single moment.
“Then could Wangye please forgive me?”
“Do you feel guilty?” He asked, despite already knowing what this foolish woman would say.
“No, Your Highness.”
“As expected of you.”
“Beautiful?”
“Wicked.”
Then, the low and clear laughter was heard at the same time. She poured tea for him again. They continued to discuss Bai Yu’s magic-absorbing ability and Wang family, completely forgetting that the latter was not something to involve women. Ouyang Feilong paid no heed to that tradition at all, as expected of him.
In her old life, she would often watch soap operas with her mother. The villainesses were all evil in their own way, but they would have one thing in common: they loved the male lead with all their heart. However, no matter what they do, the male lead never looked at them. Be it a good or bad situation, his gaze would be fixed on the heroine, only her alone.
She would wonder every time until she finally became one of those people acting on the screen. Why would a man not care about the woman who devoted her heart to him? The answer was that he had already given his heart to another woman. That was the reason why the goodness and badness of the heroine never mattered to him. And now, Bai Yu could only tell herself that it was finally time for her to play the heroine, even though it might be imagination only in her part.
Ouyang Feilong and Bai Yu talked for almost two shichens. It was not that he had no work to do, but it was because he was asking her about the song. Bai Yu sang it in Chinese and it piqued his interest. In the end, he asked her to teach him how to play the song on the guqin.
A prince, humbling himself and asking for her to be his teacher...There was only one reason, a reason that she knew without him saying anything: He, too, had a dear brother.
They bid farewell at the gazebo next to the training ground. Ouyang Feilong allowed her to see him only from there because he was worried that she would faint if she had to walk to the front gate.
When she was bowing to curtsy, her wrist was suddenly pulled. Bai Yu lost her balance, her legs stumbled toward Ouyang Feilong’s tall figure.
She could never compare him in strength in the first place, not to mention now that she was especially weak. Her body flew and easily hit his chest. When the two shared an intimate distance, she noticed that his golden eyes seemed to be scolding her.